As incoming Commodore for 2019 I want to wish all our members a healthy and happy New Year on behalf of the Board and staff of the Cambridge Yacht Club.

We just concluded another successful year in 2018 where we saw our membership continue to grow, bar and restaurant usage increase and our slip rentals expand. All areas of the Club continue to trend in the right direction. Much of this is due to the hard work of our staff, the Board and its’ leadership. So, I want to personally thank our staff, specifically Linda Daniel, Chef Gregory Lenz and Bartender John Worob for their dedication to CYC. I also want to thank our Immediate Past Commodore, Bill Lachenmyer for his hard work and leadership during 2018. Bill tackled several essential projects in 2018 much of which is not readily apparent to Club members. For example, Bill managed a major project, the replacement of the roof over the lounge and the installment of a new ceiling in the lounge which is taking place as we speak during the first two weeks of January while the Club is closed. Well done, Bill.

Speaking of the ceiling, if the project is not completed during the next two weeks, we have a contingency plan in place. The Club will open on Tuesday, January 15th as scheduled, however, if the Lounge is not available, we will serve meals in the dining room and will have a portable bar in place for our members.

On another note, the Board voted to increase the dues in 2019 as follows:

$475 for single age 40 and over

$950 for family age 40 and over

$220 for single under age 40

$420 for family under age 40

This is a modest increase and is only the second dues increase in the past 10 years. We have also installed an initiation fee of $100 for all NEW members starting in 2019. This is in addition to the $60 bulk head fee currently in place.

Thank you to the many members who contributed to the employee appreciation fund at the end of 2018. Your generosity allowed us to financially acknowledge our staff for their hard work and dedication.

Please mark your calendar for annual membership meeting that will take place Saturday, February 16th at 5:00pm.

Finally, I want to let you know the Board’s and my vision for 2019. Our goals are to continue to build on the energy and momentum we have experienced the past several years in a financially responsible manner. This includes the growth in our membership, club and marina usage and focus on expanding our boating/sailing activities. Specifically, 2019 you will find expanded participation in our Regatta (7/19-7/21) and the return for the second year of the log canoe races (8/17-8/18). We hope also to have increased participation of one design sailing classes. And, I want to personally thank Steve Adams and Dottie Holoubek for their hard work in successfully running our Junior Sail program. Several years ago, we polled our members on what was important to them as respects our Club. By far, the answer was the Junior Sail program, so we will continue to emphasize and, hopefully, grow this program.